National Bible Bee: 3 Iowans competing for $260,000

Three Iowa children will be pitting their memories against around 300 other contestants in the National Bible Bee.

The event begins Wednesday, Nov. 14, and runs through Saturday in Sevierville, Tenn.

Joshua Bontrager, 15, and his brother, Taylor, 10, from Kalona, will compete. So will Andrew Adams, 13, of Clive.

There are different requirements for the various age divisions. In Joshua's senior division, for example, contestants are required to memorize 700 verses from the Bible books of 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy.

Taylor said the competition "gives you a chance to have God's word in your heart, and I also like the competition."

Eight Minnesotans qualified for the bee across all three age divisions, according to scores posted on the National Bible Bee website. Those qualified are listed by an identification number, not their name.

Three are from Brooklyn Park and three are from Corcoran.

The 300 contestants in the finals are vying for $260,000 in prize money.